Centre, Delhi Government Seek Relaxation on Non-CNG Cabs Ban

Diesel taxi owners clogged roads at several places, leading to long queues of vehicles

The complete ban on diesel-run taxis came in picture when the Supreme Court refused to extend the deadline it had fixed to move non-CNG taxis out of the national capital. As much as 27,000 taxis have been affected by the apex court’s move and as expected, many of them blocked the roads in several places in and around Delhi to register their protest. Following the two straight days of jam packed in major places, Delhi government sought two days time from the court to submit a detailed plan for phasing out the non-CNG taxis from the city. The Delhi government is to submit the plan today before the apex court.

The central government also moved to the court to seek relaxation on the ban, and said the same should be done in a phase manner. The Centre mentioned in its plea that the complete ban on diesel taxis are affecting BPOs at large, referring to the letter written by NASSCOM to transport ministry.

The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) had written a letter to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in which it mentioned that the decision may lead to huge losses for BPO industry which mostly serves the international clients and employs taxis for their staff to commute between their homes and offices. It said the decision may backfire in the form of loss of jobs, foreign exchange and investment.

Centre in its plea mentioned that BPOs are a major source for foreign exchange and the investments would move to other countries if the companies do not operate efficiently. The matter will be taken up on Monday.

Meanwhile, Delhi government had also requested the same on Tuesday and the matter is up for hearing today. The government had proposed that the replacement of diesel taxis with CNG ones should be done in phased manner, for which the court asked the government to submit a detailed plan on how it would implement the court’s order. The apex court then asked government to file the plan to the Environment Pollution Control Authority for consideration.